Update - Weather damaged rock cut away for new gable

 A close-up of the first steps to replacing the long- lost stone gable, shows where severely weather-damaged rock was cut away by craftsmen at State Stone of Salt Lake City. They will fill this space with new blocks of stone anchored to the existing building by stainless steel rods.

Over the last six months, craftsmen of State Stone have carved individual rocks for the gable by following historic photos of the academy and using a few of the original stones salvaged from the earthquake by the late Newell and Ruth Hart as guides. Kepco engineers have designed a three-paneled steel frame into which each numbered stone is being placed. This rock-filled frame will be lifted into place and a final application of historic mortar will be applied between the rock, said Mackay.

Generous anonymous grant allows construction to continue

Keith Mackay, president of State Stone, is preparing rock to be replaced in the front gable of the 121-year-old Oneida Stake Academy Building. It will feature the name of the building engraved into the rocks, as it appeared originally.

June 24, 2011

The Oneida Stake Academy Foundation (OSAF) received today a gift of $100,000 from the family of a Preston High School alumni who wishes to remain anonymous. This is the initial installment of a larger gift promised by the family, said Nathan Hale, chairman of the board of the OSAF.

           

The gift qualifies the foundation for an additional $50,000 from the Murdock Charitable Trust, of Washington. These matching funds were promised to the foundation in 2008 upon meeting the Murdock Trust’s match requirements.

This $150,000 will be used by the Oneida Stake Academy Foundation to repair the front façade of the building, which fell out during an earthquake in the 1960s. The building’s name, once etched into that portion of the building, will be matched by master stonemasons under the direction of Keith Mackay, of State Stone in Salt Lake City.

Stone to be used for the project is either reclaimed from that earthquake’s rubble or was taken from the academy’s original quarry on a hill north of Franklin by Mackay a few years ago.

Among other clients Mackay works extensively with The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on their stone-laying projects. He was the project stone coordinator in the reconstruction of the Nauvoo Temple, which was dedicated in 2002. State Stone repairs and maintain the stone in older buildings such as the Manti Temple, and have restored the stonework on several historical chapels.

He directed the repair of the damaged corner on the Oneida Stake Academy in 2006. Mackay, now in his 80s, is passionate about his craft, and the Oneida Stake Academy holds a special place in his heart. He is the nephew of OSA alum, Harold B. Lee, and spent much of his youth in the Lee home.

“I want to see that building done,” he said. He spent much of his own funds to obtain the rights to quarry the stone for the academy's repairs.

The board members of the Oneida Stake Academy Foundation are thrilled with the financial support just received, and invite other Preston High alumni to join the cause.

Tax-deductible donations can be made to the Oneida Stake Academy Foundation and sent to P.O. Box 555, Preston, Idaho. At present, all funds raised will be pooled to meet the requirements of an additional $50,000 from the Murdock Trust.

Update - Roof repair begins

The crew of Randy Meek began working on upgrading the northeast quarter of the Oneida Stake Academy's roof on Nov. 9. It took a day to strip three layers of wooden shingles off the roof. The crew then placed sheets of boarding that will upgrade the roof's strength.

A layer of rubber sheeting will cover the  boarding as well as a water and ice guard. The new wooden shingles go on last.

This section of the roof, as well as the building's front stairway was incorporated into the last of the Idaho Transportation Department funds that were used last year to upgrade the walls.

As soon as additional funds are raised ($30,000), the rest of the roof will be upgraded and re-shingled. This section was chosen because a leak developed in it over the summer.

 

Update - Front stairs restored to historic Oneida Stake Academy

Using federal funds administered by the Idaho Transportation Department, the Oneida Stake Academy Foundation is having front stairs poured for the historic Oneida Stake Academy in Preston, Idaho.

 The current design of the new stairs follows the academy's original design with modern amenities. It will look like the original, but a heating pad will help to keep it ice-free when completed. The stairs will include rock facing placed on the concrete steps which have been built by Jeff Call, of Preston, for Bailey Construction out of Logan, Utah. Additional funding is currently being sought to have the rock laid on this new concrete stair foundation.

Furthermore, Bailey Construction is contracting with Randy Meek to upgrade and repair a leak in a portion of the academy's roof.  As funding comes in, the entire roof will be upgraded, said board members of the Oneida Stake Academy Foundation. Donations to the restoration of the 119-year-old Oneida Stake Academy are tax-deductible and may be made to the Oneida Stake Academy Foundation, P.O. Box 555, Preston, Idaho 83263.

When completed, the academy will serve the community as an elegant, historical community center, available to the public for events such as receptions, reunions, conferences and performances of the arts. It will also house a museum of its own and local history, and function as an information center for the Pioneer Scenic Byway, which runs from Franklin, Idaho,  through Preston, and into Freedom, Wyoming. For more information, see www.oneidastakeacademy.com.

Nathan Hale and Jeff Call inspect the forms before concrete is poured.
























Cement is pumped to the forms.